There is a great difference between the rapture and the kingdom. His appearing for the church is the expression of His peculiar love to His people. His kingdom is the expression of His power.
He knows His people as one with Himself, and He will come and fetch His bride first (1 Thess. 4:13-18). He went to take the kingdom without her. Looking at the Lord’s love to us in this way, we see it to be quite distinctive and separate from all other grace that He ever will or can show.
He will not show forth the kingdom till He has come to get a heavenly people. Israel has an earthly kingdom. But such external power would not do for a Christian. I am part of the bride; the Lord has given Himself to her (Eph. 5:25). It is He Himself for whom I wait (Rev. 22:20).
The authority of the Lord Jesus in that day (the kingdom) will extend to, and take in, the range of everything. Those now associated with Him in sorrow will reign with Him.
The thought of being a king and a priest is beautiful for glory and dominion, but ah! it does not touch that blessed thought of relationship—the Lord Jesus is the Firstborn among many brethren—and our hearts’ affections for Him as His bride.
The Christ who looked down on Stephen (Acts 7:55-56) is the Christ to whom we say, “Come!” But you cannot be ready for that without a personal love to Him. May each redeemed, as part of the bride, a pilgrim and stranger down here, say, “Come!”
G. V. Wigram (adapted)